Coming from some of the world's most prestigious universities, such as Harvard, Princeton, and MIT, and ranging from postdocs to professors, the US scientists are conducting research in a wide range of disciplines: from physics and chemistry to computer science, life sciences, cultural studies and the humanities. They will be able to continue their work in Austria instead of the US, which has been made possible by the APART-USA fellowship of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW). The first US scientists will begin research at their new home institutions in Austria this year.

OeAW President Heinz Faßmann says, “Our fellowship programme has succeeded in bringing these outstanding individuals from the US to Austria. They are bringing new ideas, new perspectives, and international networks—this is a great gain for Austrian science and an important boost for the visibility of our research location abroad. Thanks to Trump we are seeing this brain gain.”

Eva-Maria Holzleitner, Federal Minister for Women, Science, and Research, says, "At a time when political interference and authoritarian tendencies are increasingly encroaching on research and teaching, we are taking a firm stand. Academic freedom is a precious commodity and an indispensable pillar of our democracy. With the Perspectives Package, we have not only sent a signal of international solidarity, but also clearly positioned Austria as a safe haven for science and research—and the high demand shows how urgently this is needed."

Response to global uncertainty caused by Trump

With APART-USA, the OeAW has responded to the changes in the US research landscape under the Trump administration which have led to considerable uncertainty in the United States and beyond. The programme offers excellent US scientists who have already acquired a doctorate an attractive prospect of continuing their work at Austrian universities and non-university research institutions. Interest was high among both US researchers and Austrian scientific institutions, which were able to nominate candidates for a fellowship.

Funding for four years, benefits for Austrian research

The 25 fellowships that have now been awarded will run for 48 months and are endowed with 500,000 euros each. 75 percent of APART-USA is financed by Fonds Zukunft Österreich (FZÖ) and 25 percent by the host institutions. The US scientists are employed at universities and research institutions throughout Austria – from Vienna to Innsbruck, Graz, Linz, and Salzburg.

An overview of all universities and non-university research institutions with US fellowship holders:

• Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA)
• Medical University Graz
• Medical University Innsbruck
• Medical University Vienna
• Austrian Academy of Sciences
• Graz University of Technology
• TU Wien
• BOKU University
• University of Graz
• University of Innsbruck
• University of Linz
• University of Salzburg
• University of Vienna
• University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna